More Pokémon GO Features Unveiled

The Pokémon Company and Niantic unveiled a veritable treasure trove about Pokémon GO's various features today. The game will feature players around the world using their smart devices to "explore their surroundings to find and catch wild Pokémon hiding in our midst." Certain Pokémon will be restricted to their "native environments." The example given is that Squirtle, being a Water-type Pokémon, would only appear near bodies of water like "lakes and oceans."

When a player is near a Pokémon, their phone will vibrate. They must then catch it by using the touch screen to throw a Poké Ball at it.

Players can obtain more Poké Balls and "other special items" by visiting PokéStops, each of which is located at various landmarks. Examples of their locations that are given are "public art installations, historical markers, and monuments."

As players play, their Trainer Level will increase. This will allow them to "capture more powerful Pokémon" and unlock more items.

In Pokémon GO, evolution is handled a bit differently. Pokémon can only evolve if you capture the same one multiple times.

Players can obtain Pokémon Eggs, which will hatch after the player has walked an unspecified distance.

Various "achievement medals" can be earned for completing "challenges." These can then be shown off to friends.

Players will supposedly be "encouraged" to join one of the game's three teams so that they can take part in Gym battles. Gyms are found at various landmarks, just as PokéStops are. If they are affiliated with a team, players can assign one of their Pokémon to each Gym, after which they will automatically battle the other teams' Pokémon. The winning team will then take control of the Gym. It is noted that "because only one Pokémon per player can be placed at a given Gym, team members will need to work together to build a strong defense."

An "early user test" is scheduled for sometime "while the game is still in active development." This will be a Japan-exclusive test.

You can get an early look at the game below. I've included both the screenshots released today and a short video from SXSW. Keep in mind that "features, available languages, design, and overall appearance are not finalized.